by Nicole Auerbach, USA TODAY Sports

by Nicole Auerbach, USA TODAY Sports

RALEIGH, N.C. - It took less than a half of basketball to see the obvious: This is why Virginia earned that No. 1 seed.

That much wasn't as clear Friday night as the Cavaliers trailed No. 16 seed Coastal Carolina into the second half before putting the game away. But Sunday night, with a Sweet 16 berth on the line, the Cavaliers looked as good as they have all season. Virginia beat No. 8 Memphis 78-60 at PNC Arena in a game that was all but over by halftime.

The Cavaliers shot 55.6% from the field - one of their best offensive performances of the season - and shut down Memphis with their characteristically staunch defense, putting this game out of reach early and ultimately holding the Tigers to 40% shooting from the field (and 3-for-13 from beyond the arc). Virginia dominated on the glass, outrebounding Memphis, 40-28.

Virginia senior guard Joe Harris led all scorers with 16 points, and three other Cavs scored in double digits. Evan Nolte's breathtaking dunk in the final minute was a perfect exclamation point.

Virginia is the last remaining Atlantic Coast Conference team in the NCAA tournament. The Cavs will face No. 4 Michigan State - a trendy Final Four pick - in the second part of the double-header Friday night at Madison Square Garden.